from Act II of the Italian opera
Giovanna d'Arco by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto: Temistocle Solera
Role: Giacomo, a shepherd
Voice Part: baritone Fach: dramatic baritone
Setting: The main square in front of the Cathedral of St. Denis in Rheims, France, 1429
Synopsis: Carlo has declared to the crowd in front of the cathedral of St. Denis that another cathedral should be raised up in honor of Giovanna who has saved all of France. Suddenly, Giacomo bursts out of the crowd yelling "Blasphemy!" He goes on to denounce her, singing that he saw her in the forest when she gave herself over to Satan and King Carlo and God has declared that she should be punished for her evil actions. As he finishes up his accusations, he asks the crowd furiously if they will raise a cathedral to her now.